East Providence

On the city's northern border and across the Seekonk River from the East Side, Rumford is an East Providence suburb mixing historic and midcentury housing, chain and local businesses, and proximity to community life in both East Providence and Providence. “Rumford has become a secondary option to the East Side of Providence due to the shortage of inventory there,” says Heither Feid, a real estate advisor with William Raveis who grew up in East Providence. “When you’re a townie, you’re always a townie. People take it pretty seriously.” Positioning residents within minutes of commercial centers along Newport Avenue, public and private outdoor recreation, and highways toward Providence and the East Side, Rumford combines local community pride with commuter access to urban hubs. Quaint Cape Cods and minimal traditional homes built in the early 1900s mingle with midcentury ranch-style homes and larger single-family homes built in the 50s through 70s on grassy blocks and winding, connected subdivisions. Two-story colonial revivals sell for $450,000 to $650,000, while smaller, single-story options sell for $300,000 to $450,000 depending on interior upgrades. Spotty, narrow sidewalks line some streets, but mature, shady trees and neatly landscaped front lawns are a far more common sight. Banks, fast food chains, and local restaurants and businesses collect in individual storefronts and shopping plazas along the four lanes of Newport Avenue. Uncle Tony’s Pizza & Pasta has been serving classic Italian fare and specialty plumpy spinach pies in East Providence since 1974, becoming well-loved for blending casual diner ambiance and vintage decor and light fixtures. Up the road around Narragansett Park Plaza, shoppers can pick up essentials at a couple of dollar stores, CVS and Aldi, or do some shopping at Burlington. For self-care, locals can make an appointment at the nail salon or get a membership at Planet Fitness. South on Pawtucket Avenue, several churches provide religious services. Arcade games, themed music nights and the flashing of colorful lights on the polished wooden rink draw skaters of all ages to United Skates of America. Throughout the month, family-friendly themes like all-you-can-eat pizza skates alternate with late-night adult skates where DJs play music ranging from nostalgic 80s and 90s jams to country classics. Kids can attend Myron J. Francis Elementary School which earns a B-plus from Niche, followed by Martin Middle School and East Providence High School which both earn a B-minus. The new East Providence High building was opened in 2021, sporting brighter, modern learning spaces and facilities to support Career and Technical Education. “Home values have significantly increased because of the newer, technologically advanced high school,” Feid says. Those wanting private school options closer to home for kindergarten through eighth grade can look into The Wolf School or St. Margaret School. Players and parents of the Rumford Little League become well-acquainted with the baseball diamonds and concession stands at the Kimberly Ann Rock Athletic Fields. Nearby, bikers, joggers and dog walkers set off on a paved, forested path all the way to Pawtucket along Central Pond and the namesake waterway of the Ten Mile River Greenway. Membership at the Wannamoisett Country Club provides access to a private swimming pool, tennis courts and the golf course which hosts the annual Northeast Amateur Invitational. Heading further south in East Providence, commuters can cross the Henderson Bridge for a 5-mile drive into downtown Providence. Public transit users can board RIPTA buses at a handful of stops along Pawtucket and Newport avenues. For those heading to the east side of Providence, Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design are about 4 miles away.

Outer East Bay draws together many of the different reasons people seek out East Providence: transportation amenities, innovative eateries and a range of home prices that are welcoming to a variety of homebuyers. The fact that you can find these all in just one neighborhood has local Realtors recommending the area to those who are new to Rhode Island in general. Albert Hajdaraj, a Realtor with Homesmart Professionals, notes that this last feature is important. “East Providence more of a starter home, first time homebuyer type of area.” The neighborhood derives its name from the East Bay region, which includes popular communities like Barrington and Warren. So while you can get to downtown Providence in about 10 minutes thanks to Interstate 195, it’s having access to these East Bay communities that makes this neighborhood stand out. You can see this influence in housing styles, too, which blend country coastal elements with more suburban or even sometimes urban details. Look for Dutch Colonials from 1900, done up in coastal appropriate colors like charcoal and pastel blue. You may not get the biggest lawn with these properties, but you do get urban walkability and tightknit, neighborly surroundings. Prices start around $350,000. If you venture into the $450,000 range, you can find a vintage Colonial home from the 1930s, placed in a quintessential suburban setting. Quarter acre lots, mature shade trees, sidewalks, gently curving streets – all these things can be found in Outer East Bay. This neighborhood also has a couple of local schools within its borders. Kent Heights School on the east end enrolls around 250 students in grades K-5, with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. Niche awarded the school a B overall and an A-minus in the teachers category. The student population increases at centrally located Edward Martin Middle, where 600 are enrolled in grades 6-8. But it scored a B from Niche in the teachers category, helped by the student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. East Providence High is clearly at the top regarding student population: over 1,500 are enrolled in grades 9-12. And yet, with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, the school scores a B- minus in the teachers category and even a B-minus overall. Originally opening in 1952 with a noteworthy modern design, the school transitioned to a new building in 2021. Warren Avenue is the best place to cruise when you’re looking for a bite to eat – you’ll find everything from Portuguese cuisine to pizza places. Ebisu is a popular Japanese restaurant, and equally cozy with its modest brick façade. Step inside and you’ll find a sushi bar as well as a variety of ramen bowls. Or, if you want to try your own hand at world cuisine, visit the Asiana Food Market down the street. Seasonings, teas and specialty items like kimchi are available. There are several small parks that dot the waterfront, but Bold Point Park is one of the most frequented, thanks to views of the Providence skyline. Pick up the East Bay Bike Path here and pedal your way into downtown Providence. At the southern tip of Outer East Bay is the 28-acre Squantum Woods Park, where you can explore open grassy stretches as well as woodland areas. Outer East Bay is where you can put down roots but also have fun excursions whenever you like.